By Kristina | Mommy with a K
There’s something magical about freezing a moment in time.
As a freelance photographer and full-time mama, I don’t always get long stretches of quiet to go out and shoot — but when I do, I often find myself drawn back to the water. The Gulf has become more than just a backdrop to our days; it’s woven into my family’s story and deeply connected to my creativity.
Before I became a mom, before Stephen, and before life began to unfold in the most beautiful, unexpected ways — I had the sea. These six photographs, shown above, were all taken during a time when I didn’t yet know what my future would hold. But somehow, each image feels like a quiet chapter leading me here.
Every photo in this collection captures something I felt deeply — calm, clarity, freedom. Whether it was a golden sunset reflecting on the waves or the contrast of Navarre pier stretching toward the horizon, these moments grounded me. I used to walk these very beaches in search of direction and peace. And the ocean always met me with both.
Now, years later, I look at these images with a different kind of gratitude. They’re more than pretty pictures. They’re reminders of who I was becoming — someone who would one day fall in love just steps from this shoreline, raise a son near its tides, and find endless inspiration in its rhythm.
Each image featured in this post is available as a canvas print in my shop, Kristina + the Sea, and I’d be so honored to share these coastal moments with you.
Until next time — with love, sunlight, and a little saltwater,
Kristina – Mommy With a K
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Mommy with a 'K' 